>> this is the "internal -- the journal." here are the top stories this hour. a dispute in brussels over the role of nato in libya. new protests in yemen. army generals said they backed the uprising. engineers of the japanese power plant continue the battle to control the reactor. ♪ >> in libya, there are reports of explosions in tripoli and

anti-aircraft fired near compound belonging to muammar gaddafi. it is the third straight night of strikes as allies attempt to enforce the u.n.-mandated no-fly zone. amid confusion about who is in charge of the mission, barack obama told reporters that nato will be involved in coordinating the next phase of action and that he expects a transfer of command within the next few days. >> the rebels flashed victory signs even as they retreat from the loyalist forces. the rebels moved on the city in an attempt to retake it but were forced to turn around. opposition forces requested help. both sides believe that gaddafi will violate the cease-fire declared by his military leadership. coalition air strikes targeted a building in the gaddafi compound overnight.

a coalition official described it as his control and command center. the gaddafi regime called it an administrative building. air strikes have eased the siege on the rubble-filled benghazi. residents are relieved to be able to leave their houses. they're holding funerals for those killed in the fighting. >> i want his blood. >> shoes morning a dead relative. >> there is no footage from the other embattled city. italy and norway are preparing to join the operations. the question over who will take leadership over from the u.s. is open. some are urging for is to be transferred to nato. >> rejoined mr. you buy a middle east analyst. this is beginning to look messy.

-- we are joined in the studio by in middle east analyst. >> it was not well thought through but was necessary. there would have been a bloodbath without it. no one in europe, the non is states, for the arab league have the desire to continue making business with gaddafi. it was necessary. we see the chaos theory in the making. there is chaos on the ground we have no idea how the opposition movement is being set up and to assess what with in the movement. on the western side within nato, we have no idea who is in command of the whole business. is it the french, americans? who is it? >> gaddafi still seems to be enjoying a lot of support back home. >> we have to be careful. there are people loyal to him. there are tribes grateful to him

because he has financed them over 42 years. this is some gratitude. we're talking about tribes. with tribal allegiances, a look at who is holding power. if they feel that he is losing his grip on his country, they will probably change sides. gaddafi has not too many people he can still control. people are not stupid. they see what is happening. they see the rebel movement westward from the east. i think time is against him but he can still cause harm. >> what is the ultimate agenda in enforcing the no-fly zone? is it regime change? >> is definitely regime change. nobody will say that in the western countries or arab world. it is all about machine change. -- it is all about regime change.

the west hopes the rebels will do the bloody business. the western alliance will definitely not invade sending soldiers to libya. nevertheless, the opposition appears to be strong enough to reconquer the parts of libya that have been lost. >> thank you for the analysis. the arab league announced his support the no-fly zone. their leader gave his approval one day after implying that western powers were making a mistake. he now says the arab league position on libya is decisive and that the resolution was implemented to protect the civilian population. his statements came at a news conference at the arab league headquarters in cairo. that e.u. is divided over what to do about gaddafi. on monday, foreign ministers met. they agreed on sanctions but not the military option. germany defended its position.

we have this report from brussels. >> the e.u. member states were divided on monday about how to deal with the situation in libya. the german foreign minister said germany was not the only member opposing the air strikes. >> our skepticism is shared by other members of the european union. one thing is also clear. the united nations resolution has created a legal basis. >> the e.u. defense ministers agreed on a statement in which they committed to join humanitarian efforts in libya. that agreement is not about military intervention. france's foreign minister is calling for stronger e.u. participation. the divisions make this unlikely. is humanitarian aid in the be possible without military backup? it is a question the e.u. policy

chief cannot resolve. >> i do not accept we are in the situation comparable to what has happened in any previous situation, particularly in 2003. we are in a situation where we are looking to make sure that we offer the right level of support to the people of libya. >> agreement was reached on extending sanctions against the gaddafi regime. that will apply to banks and subsidiaries of libya's national oil corporation. >> the embattled president of yemen is coming under increasing pressure after a series of high- level defections. the defense minister says the army still supports the president and will defend him against what he calls a coup against democracy. several army generals have switched sides and given their support the protest movement. >> once again, thousands gathered in front of the university.

it is the focal point of the opposition movement in yemen. the activists seem to have reached a turning point. there have been defections from the army. >> i am joining the young people's revolution to help bring down the corrupt, dictatorial regime. >> we came here to see our children. our children have sacrificed their blood for this land. >> we welcome the free army, this says. the latest developments have given protesters hope that they can force saleh from power after 32 years. >> today is a holiday now the army has joined us. >> with other military units deployed in the capital, it seems the army is split. the defense ministry says the military remains loyal to saleh. the coming hours and days could be decisive for the future of yemen.

>> japan has stopped all shipments of unprocessed milk and spinach from the area around the fukushima power plant. officials tell people they're not to drink the tap water because of high levels of radiation. on monday, workers at the plant were told to leave after smoke came from reactors two and three. it is still not clear why. >> the smoke rose from the reactor 3. workers temporarily evacuated the facility. japan's nuclear authority said it did not know what was burning, but there was no explosion. the government tried to reassure the public. >> radioactivity near the reactor has not increased, despite the smoke. we should not forget that even non-hazardous material can catch fire. we must stay calm. >> the operators of the facility are facing more complications. news has emerged of negligence of the plant. a routine inspection was missed

just before the quake. components of the cooling system were not checked. soldiers and firefighters continued to douse the reactors with water on monday to keep them from overheating. the power has been connected to the control center for reactor two. that means the cooling pumps may be restarted. in tokyo, people fear of contaminated food and reactivity 27 times higher than normal has been detected in milk and spinach. the government stopped shipments of food from there. the consumer and vice hot lines are busy. >> i understand your concern. please watch the vegetables thoroughly. >> water in nine regions including tokyo is showing signs of contamination with radioactive iodine. >> the monumental cleanup of towns and cities along the coast is under way. cranes and other heavy machinery were brought in to clear the

wreckage and debris. the chances of finding anyone still alive are very low. emergency workers have recovered almost 9000 bodies. at least 13,000 people are still missing. the situation for survivors remains critical. thousands are still living in emergency shelters. we go on to the ivory coast. the power struggle over the presidency is raising fears of an imminent civil war. thousands of young supporters of the incumbent gathered to enlist in the army on monday. they pledged to defend the man who has confused to concede power. the forces loyal to the other man control the north of the country. they reportedly gained more territory in the west after heavy fighting on monday. we are back to the eurozone debt crisis. >> this struggle is finally coming to an end. it is good news for you.

finance ministers have agreed on the final details of the beef up bailout mechanism. it is due to replace the temporary rescue fund in 2013. it would be backed up by capital and guarantees totaling 1700 billion euros. the capital would amount to 80 billion. germany would have to come up with 1/4 of that. the remaining 620 billion would come in the form of guarantees from eurozone members to lock in the best possible credit rating. that would mean larger lending capacity than the current fund of 500 billion euros. telekom shares soared in trading on monday. it is looking to sell one segment. one reason is performing poorly is that it was slow to introduce internet services.

at&t will be able to free up funds for expansion elsewhere. >> after more than a decade, deutsche telekom is in its venture in the u.s. it bought a company and renamed it as t-mobile. it has declined and lost market share. t-mobile is the fourth largest player with 11%. the purchase of t-mobile will make it clear market leader, putting it ahead of verizon. sprint has a 16% share. telekom wants the proceeds to pay off debts of around 13 billion euros. it plans to concentrate on european markets in the future. >> in europe, we are a market

leader in nearly all of the 14 countries where we are represented, including the main market of germany. we want to maintain market dominance and develop high-speed networks for cell phone and land mines. >> the sale is not yet a done deal. the trust authorities must approve the plan. >> here is our correspondent with more on the story on how the treatment of the frankfurt stock exchange. >> it was a brilliant start to the trading week. stocks gained as nuclear risks in japan are easing. we hope we do not give further bad news. the markets are still volatile because of the situation in libya. traders say that it was a day of telekom stealing the show. there was a pause for a positive corporate members.

court>> things have been up andn the last few weeks. in frankfurt, the dax is of over 2%. the leading eurozone companies index is 2860, up almost 2.5%. new york industrials are up 12,000 points. that is 1.5% of. the bureau is trading at $1.42. man is back in the black. the outlook remains positive for this year. the company is projecting revenue growth of up to 10%. demand for new commercial vehicles has picked up again. merger talks with the swedish competitor have been delayed by a corruption investigation. oil futures rallied in monday trading.

investors reacted to the military intervention in libya. the price climbed 2% to more than $116 per barrel. the escalating unrest in the middle east is also driving the price along with the air strikes. libya's crude output has fallen by 3-4. production could be stopped because of damaged facilities and sanctions. >> knut was the superstar of the berlin zoo. his sudden death at the age of four has triggered speculation as to the cause. he collapsed and died in his compound on saturday. hundreds of people have flocked to the enclosure where he lived with three female bears to leave tributes. veterinarians have begun an autopsy on the barear to capture the hearts of millions around the world after being abandoned by his mother and being raised

by hand. >> i was a fan. >> he was cuddly. we will be right back. ♪

[foreign language] ♪ >> welcome back. the crisis in japan has led to an urgent debate on the safety of nuclear energy. the head of the international atomic energy agency says he believes nuclear power will remain an important and viable option for many countries. in germany, there is a growing sense of unease. we're going to take a look the status of nuclear energy in three countries. we begin in turkey where the government says it will press ahead with plans to build new nuclear plants despite the disaster in japan. >> he is a turkish greenpeace activist and against the government plans to build nuclear power plants.

she took part in a demonstration in is stumble along with hundreds of others. she says popular opposition is gaining momentum. -- the demonstration took place in istanbul. >> if the protests continue, the government will have to about to the pressure. >> just last week in moscow, the prime minister reaffirmed that russia would be building the first plant in the southeast near the mediterranean. >> an earthquake would also destroy other things like bridges. does that mean we should not build any more bridges? >> almost all of turkey is prone to earthquakes. in 1999, a huge earthquake 100 kilometers east of istanbul killed least 17,000 people. recent polls suggest 60% of turks do not want nuclear power.

elections will be held in june. the environmental issues may play a role in the campaign. >> i say learn from the disaster in japan and think again. >> politicians made that decision by themselves. if they asked the people, the plans would be dropped at once. >> the people do not want it. we see what has happened in japan. what else is there to say? >> the second plant is to be built on the black sea coast. the region has seen an increase in cancer deaths that some physicians blame on reactivity from chernobyl 25 years ago. turkey is negotiating with toshiba to build reactors. they operate the fukushima plant. >> the russians and japanese may be coming to build power plants here and operate them as they

see fit. turkey will not be in a position to supervise them. we do not have the experts. >> for decades, turkey has been dreaming of nuclear power. a lack of funds held it back. now it could be the turkish people who finally put it to rest. >> you could call france the capital of nuclear energy. 80% of its electricity comes from nuclear power plants. french politicians brad about an economy that is energy-self- reliant and able to sell electricity abroad. has the crisis in japan made a difference in france? we visited a small village that has been home to a giant power facility for a quarter of the century. >> japan's nuclear crisis has special relevance for this fringe activist. he feels vindicated in his campaign against the nuclear power plant were several incidents have been reported. nothing serious according to the french nuclear safety authority,

but he does not trust them. but there is the nuclear plant with the four cooling towers. it is presented as if it is a normal tourist attraction. there are open days when tours around the plant are organized. that is shocking and dangerous. >> just two, an honors from the plant -- just seven hours from the plant is a town. he lives here. he worked as an engineer the plant for three years. he understands the risks that the workers in fukushima are taking. >> they have certainly been contaminated with radiation. i feel sorry for them. it moves me. >> this nuclear facility has brought money to the area. the town hall is being renovated with some of the 2.5 million euros the plant. since the local coffers every year. people here largely favor

nuclear power. few fear of a serious accident. >> the risk is never 0, but you are more likely to die in a car accident on sunday and in a terror attack on a nuclear power plant. >> there is a no-fly zone above the nuclear plant. if a plane appears above its on the military radar, the french air force would shoot it down. >> the operators say the plant is prepared for earthquakes, floods, and terrorism. he is not convinced. he wants france to change its energy policy. >> we should have developed alternative energies 30 years ago. now we have surrendered ourselves to the nuclear industry. >> the safety of the french nuclear plants will be assessed. the country is a long way from

ending its reliance on nuclear power. >> no country has responded more quickly to the crisis in japan and germany. the government here ordered an immediate safety review of all plants and took seven of the oldest facilities offline for the time being. the government decided last year to extend the life span of its nuclear power plants. there's a long tradition in germany of opposition to nuclear power. the latest events in japan have given activists renewed purpose. >> these are among seven aging nuclear plants taken off line. new safety standards are planned for all 17 reactors in germany. >> the events in japan are not just an unimaginable catastrophe for japan. they are a turning point for the world, europe and germany.

>> the disaster in japan prompted a rapid change of heart in berlin on energy policy. it brought more in line with public opinion. nuclear technology has been a hot political issue since the 1950's. atomic weapons were the focus of this early protests. most people in post-war west germany did not want them. the reception to civilian nuclear energy was less hostile. it was seen as a clean alternative to coal-fired plants. during the oil crisis of the 1970's, nuclear power appeared to offer the prospect of energy independence. in the 1980's, public sentiment changed. the nato deployment of american warheads on west german soil reinvigorated the anti-nuclear movement. there were a large street protests. the green party became a political force, campaigning for an end of nuclear power and the removal of atomic weapons.

the chernobyl disaster in 1986 tipped the scales for good. a radioactive cloud swept across europe and contaminated parts of germany. for the first time, opinion polls show the majority of germans opposed to the construction of any new nuclear plants. in 2000, the coalition government of social democrats and greens announced the phase- out of nuclear energy by the year 2021. the center-right coalition extended the life of reactors beyond their scheduled closure dates. the government argued that nuclear power provides in bridging solution to the age of renewables. >> this is a revolution we can plan for. we can guarantee a secure energy supply in coming decades. >> in the wake of the crisis in japan, and germany's nuclear future remains uncertain. >> that has been our "in depth"

at this hour. you for watching dw-tv. please stay with us. ♪ ♪

>>this week on world business... >>international schools take steps into china. >>it is about being clever enough to see where the opportunity is going to be in the future. >>how access to communications technology has revolutionised life for millions of kenyans. >>mobile phone technology in kenya is well understood, everyone has a mobile phone. >>and a new business funding model giving young entrepreneurs a helping hand in france.

>>hello and welcome. i'm raya abirached and this is world business, your weekly insight into the global business trends shaping our lives. the business of international education is worth 45 billion dollars a year and marketers have china firmly in their sights. but not all are focused on attracting"nouveau-riche" chinese students to campuses abroad. some of the most respected english private schools are expanding in the people's republic itself. >>"doe, a deer, a female deer....." >>reporter: quintessentially english, in far flung china - though unlike its four century old namesake for the teenage sons of the world's millionaires and monarchs, harrow international school welcomes well-heeled beijing-based children as young as three, including girls. >>established in 2005, this is the harrow brand's second overseas school after bangkok. a third opens in hong kong in 2012.

>>farthing: there are many visionaries on the harrow school board who see the value in transliterating a qualityharrow-branded service into new markets. at a commercial level, there is a return from the international schools as well which goes back to help maintain a level of fee structure at a school like harrow to the benefit of that school too. >>reporter: harrow international school is a private company backed by a hong kong investor; it operates under alicence from harrow school in the uk. as for the maths, the beijing operation has over 400 students - with annual fees for the eldest, 28,000 us dollars. >>in the city of tianjin (pronounced tee-en jeen), another famous british name, wellington college, opens its doors in the autumn of 2011 - in a campus funded by a local property developer. a relative latecomer to the overseas market, wellington has big plans to catch-up with the competition, first in china, then india

and the middle east. >>cook: they believe firstly that they have a brand at home, a quality of education in all its many guises, extra-curricula, academic, moral, spiritual and so on - which they can export, so to speak, around the world. >>mackie: mainland china hosts over 270 international schools in 43 cities and in the provinces many cater to just a couple dozens students. but for the majority of schools, they can only enrol foreigners - children of expats or returning chinese with foreign passports. so for well-off mainlanders who seek a less politicised, international education and a seamless entry to the world's leading universities, there are two options. >>reporter: option one, there are schools abroad, which, along with colleges, vigorously compete at education expos like this for a share of the 200,000 chinese students who study overseas annually. of this number, over 3,000

under 18s attend british boarding schools, while around the same amount board in the us. most going onto universities, paying premium fees, in their countries of choice. these numbers are growing as anxious parents worry about their only child's competitive advantage inchina's marketplace. >>gregg: there's an interesting push coming on with how parents view the importance of education and their careers. i see that there are a multiple of opportunities for kids to come back who have gone through that creative thinking and analytical thinking, good communication in english and other languages, to thrive in companies in china because they don't get that internally necessarily. >>reporter: that is, unless they opt for option two. after completing his compulsory chinese education, 16 year old dang xuyang was able to enter harrow international school's sixth form to study for britain's a levels - so avoiding college foundation courses and other problems faced by his peers.

>>xuyang: most foreign universities do not recognise chinese secondary school qualifications. there was also aproblem with my english language proficiency at that time. so coming to this school was one of the best ways to solve these problems. >>reporter: many leading international schools adopt the same strategy. however, another foreign player is focused primarily on domestic students. >>reporter: old etonian william vanbergen's company british education - with a mainland investment partner - isestablishing three boarding schools for the over 15s that run on the uk curriculum. >>like wellington's tianjin model, campuses are typically provided by developers - who recognise theconnection in china between a reputable school and nearby property prices. here in qingdao, britain's oxford international college oversees the delivery of a quality, branded education that can cost up to 18,000 dollars per year. bankers say the business plan is sound, but executing such a model in china isn't easy.

>>vanbergen you really want to try and draw on the strengths of what you have - the tradition, the history, the academic excellence. but then you've got to replicate it half way around the world. you're talking about an environment that doesn't speak english, that is very, very culturally different. >>reporter: china's cultural differences and the country's growing clout on the world stage, isn't lost on head teachers, like frances king of the exclusive roedean girls' school. she's here in china, not only to meet prospective elite students, but also explore potential teacherand student exchanges - and so better prepare her girls for their future roles, be it in business or diplomacy. >>king: it's about being clever enough to see where the opportunities are going to be in the future. there are certain markets which will remain strong and constant in the west - certain markets in the uk that i can tap into. it's what kind of sharp new outlook you want to bring to your business which i think appeals to me. >>reporter:

expanding the reach of distinguished brands in mainland china is a long-term strategy. for the hard pressed british treasury, these early connections should help maintain the intake of top dollar students to uk universities. while sino-british networks should deliver referral business to the schools and advance their students' careers - by broadening the old school tie network. >>the mobile phone has revolutionised the lives of the rural poor across the world and nowhere more so than africa, where access to a mobile phone has increased fivefold in the last 5 years. we took atrip to kenya to find out how this simple tool can make such a vast difference to trade, banking and even health. >>reporter: these are the sights & sounds you'd normally associate with kenya... >>but there's a new note echoing across these east african plains, and it's transforming the lives

of millions of people. >>anderson: mobile phone technology in kenya is well understood, everyone has a mobile phone. so they saw immediately a utility for this facility and my goodness everyone can do it and you can sit in the most primitive, filthy bar in the middle of nowhere in western kenya and there will be someone sitting on their mobile phone over a beer. >>reporter: just ten years ago owning a mobile phone was a privilege enjoyed only by the wealthy with only 500,000 phones in the entire country. today around 47% of the population are hooked up to the airwaves. and as kenya embraces mobile technology it is helping to close the gap between rich and poor. >>one of the biggest groups to benefit has been farmers, now connected to a world of information they could only have dreamed about only a decade ago. >>kuria: if i want to maybe get the raw materials or maybe manure i can order them via my phone and i'll get them supplied - i can also pay, if it is

fertilisers, or the pesticides all of them, so simply it eases my work and the cost of transportation. >>reporter: agriculture accounts for more than 50% of kenyan gdp, employing around 75% of the population. >>but it is still small scale and long journeys to market meant farmers were easily exploited by brokers. now communication allows them not only instant knowledge of market prices but also enables them to work together cooperatively. >>jamlia abbas is co founder of a system called mfarm, which made this possible. >>abass: we noticed that the farmers did not have sufficient information to negotiate properly with the buyer. so we're providing them with this information through sms. the other point is that what we have is we are bringing the farmers together so that they can sell together and buy

together. >>kuria: we have eliminated the brokers; the prices will be higher, so simply, there is a benefit to me as a farmer, of which i intend to make maximum profit. so, by eliminating the broker, i get the profit that i require >>reporter: it's these kinds of technological innovations that have helped farmers earn 50% more in 2010 than they did the year before, >>but the technology that has had the biggest impact is mobile banking. >>musembi: it has been revolutionary. it has changed completely the money landscape in kenya and it has proved that you know the economy and finances and business does not have to be controlled by banks any more. >>reporter: the first service of this kind, mpesa, launched in kenya in 2007, when only 17% of the population had access to a bank, while 80%

of the country had mobile coverage. >>the service has over 13.5million subscribers and more than 5.5 billion us dollars has moved through the system. >>herlihy: people are shocked at is how much currency flows through the hands of what we call the poor, you know, its not to say they are rich, it's not to say they are accumulating wealth, but just the actual flow of capital between someone's hands. >>nykabi: through this service, the mpesa you are to see that people are able to trade, parents are even able to send children their school fees using mpesa and we get to see that it has bought a rapid and random change. >>reporter: a similar payment system is being used to bring fresh water into remote communities. currently less than half of rural people have access to clean water, which has

a huge impact on health. >>at this solar powered ground pump, villagers pay for the water using a chip loaded with mpesa credit. >>maneki: far away and you can see along the mountain to fetch water there, of which we were using a lot of time wasting. our women are doing very well because they don't go far away so they are enjoying it and they are very clean because now they don't walk far away. >>reporter: in this case the communications revolution literally means women have less far to travel, but in a more general sense communication has broken down the barrier to distance in kenya. many of the population may still be rural, but being able to connect with brokers, banks

and each other across the country means they are no longer remote. >>and it's estimated that increasing mobile phone penetration by 10% in emerging markets can lift per capita gdp by nearly 1 percent. >>still to come on world business... >>funding by the masses, a new way of financing films in france. >>and what does it take to make it in nascar. >>hitting the big time on the big track... and the rest in just a moment on world business... >>with high youth unemployment across europe, graduates are actively encouraged to set up their own businesses. however

banks are unwilling to lend money and it's difficult for entrepreneurs to get started, but a new phenomenon known as 'crowd funding' where thousands of individual investors pitch in, is helping many get a head start. >>reporter: behind the scenes on the set of a new french mockumentary film. it follows the life of a rich business man who likes to flaunt his wealth, power and political influence. in other words a satirical look at life for the french super rich with links to president sarkozy. ality and the story that you thought would appealed to everyone suddenly people start saying no i don't believe in it. so it can be very tough and very frustrating. >>reporter: but his film found the money thanks to a new trend known as crowd-funding. nt film

projects; film buffs can then help finance ones they like with sums starting as low as 10 euros. le as an extra or even an associate producer credit. and of course if the film makes money the smallscale investors get a share of the profits too. making. so its seems entirely normal that those who are willing to financially back a film should share in the benefits if the film makes money. but under no circumstances can we promise or guaranteethat a film will make money. and that does not include the huge number of film makers who have to give up their projects even before

the film has even been finished because they have run out of cash. >>reporter: but the incredible financial and critical success of the low budget oscar winner "the king's speech"may well inspire investors. ater number of backers can help talk up projects on social networks helping to generate additional publicity. tribution for small independent movies. i am absolutely sure of that. the market in the hothouse movie industry is becoming increasingly competitive. there are between 15 and 18 new movies released every week in paris alone each week so it is becoming very difficult to survive. >>kazandjian: them to make

people realize that there is a market. i think it's a very good example of a low budgetturned into some sort of positive point. >>reporter: if paris is a great backdrop for films - it's also home to some of the world's most well-known fashion designers. but beneath the surface are thousands of young designers hoping for their first break. like this pair working out of a dingy windowless cellar. e banks didn't want to loan money to unknown designers like us. so the internet investors are reallyour first financial backers. >>reporter: a website promotes 4 new designers each month. when 40 internet users agree to buy an item the designers swing into action and make them orders; that way we don't have to worry about unsold stock; each fashion item is sold.

>>reporter: investors get a discount on the goods, paying only 40 for a shirt, get invited to the fashion show and should the goods become a money spinner get a return on their investment. 't know how or who to turn to for business advice and who can help them with marketing, publicity and distribution. in the end a designer is focused on his or her design creations. but there are plenty of things that also have to be taken into account to succeed commercially. and that means financial backing and that is difficult to come by. >>reporter: the pair are still a long way from the glamorous catwalks of say yves st laurent or christian dior. but already they have made their first breakthrough launching their spring collection for 2011.

>>nascar is easily the most popular motorsport in the us, and many people dream of flying round its oval circuits at speeds of over 200mph. but what's it like when you actually get there? we tagged along with one driver for a day to see what's involved, and also to find out how the sport itself is handling a recession that's proving both long and painful. >>reporter: i was driving across georgia the other day...and as i occasionally nudged the speed limit...i thought to myself...what would it be like to be...a nascar driver?...well...if you're 24yr old david ragan...along with doing this.... >>you'll be doing plenty of this....

>>sunday morning...and ragan's meeting the public...as well as taking a closer look at one of nascar's most challenging circuit... >>ragan: this is a fastest track in nascar.....we average close to 190mph here >>reporter: this is ragan's 4th full year in nascar...and its important to build up his profile... >>ragan: sometimes i wish i could be sitting with no-one around and thinking about what's gonna happen here or there. but we all have to go through this....in order to keep the fans interested in our sport. >>reporter: right now the sport does need its fans. projected attendances this year are down 8% on last year, around 20% on 2005. here at atlanta they're doing all they can to entice fans to the track... >>clark: we have got a $19 student ticket for today's race,..//...we have a family four pack where you can get 4 tickets, 4 hotdogs and 4 cokes for $159.

>>reporter: it is pretty cheap entertainment.... >>well, it costs us for the bus and stuff $125 per person. reporter: >>for 4 days? >>for the whole weekend, yeah. >>about $ 150-200 for the bus, food, plus your beverages, you are around $300. >>reporter: but thinning crowds means that after hosting 2 races a season for the past 50 years...from next yearatlanta speedway will only stage one.... >>tharp: the parent company that owns this racetrack made the decision that they thought it might be best if we went racing next year in kentucky. >>reporter: ragan was born near this track, the son of a nascar driver ...but oddly enough, he got his chance torace thru a reality tv show... >>ragan: my big break was the roush racing driver x show. jack roush had a driver competition . i sent in my resume, i was part of the show and that was my big break into nascar...

>>reporter: the reality for ragan now is that when you're getting established, pressing the flesh matters... >>reporter: last year nascar sold about $1.6b worth of merchandise...not bad, although down by about 20% on 2008....but as the 36 race season roars on, of more concern is the demographic nascar is reaching... >>jong: they're still pulling in crowds of over 100 thousand fans to every race on average...but the averageage of those fans is a lot closer to my age...than their age...it's in fact 42, and of the major sports in america...only baseball has older fans. >>tharp: certainly attention spans vary among young people. >>clarke: very short attention span >>reporter: fox tv says its 18-34 year old nascar viewers have dropped almost 30% on last year...and nascar may have to consider

whether today's youngsters are simply willing to sit through a 4 hour race... >>clark: we may not have 500 mile races in the future. we may have shorter events. >>reporter: there aren't too many young folk hanging around in the shiners tent...but the man with almost 17m dollars in career earnings soon wins over some more fans. >>reporter: for ragan...the business end of the day is finally approaching...time then for a hug from mum...who's unlikely to be enjoying the next 4 hours... >>ragan: you always have butterflies in your stomach...you're always a little nervous...but you know he lovesit, he is doing everything safe, you know he's in the best equipment possible so that is a comforting. >>reporter: you might think the publicity

requirements might tail off a little so close to racetime...but nascarprides itself on its drivers' accessibility to both fans and media, so i go in for some last minutethoughts about race strategy... >>reporter: starting very shortly, what do think about now as you're getting into the car. >>ragan: time to get focused. can't talk to you too long. >>reporter: hmmm. not quite the gettysburg address, but from 9th on the grid...there's serious racing to be done....for regan it is going to be a mixed night... >>reporter: for nascar itself, results have been mixed at best over the last couple of years...but down at the track they remain convinced it's still an experience not to be missed.... >>nascar's still a lot of fun. you need to come. >>it's like seeing a picture of the grand canyon and actually going to the grand canyon. there is nocomparison between the two. >>reporter: which is why the die hards come back year after year...often to exactly the same spot...

>>reporter: i guess the repetition is part of the attraction really. same people...doing the same things. >>seeing your friends again...yeah...sure thing. >>everybody out here always says play the cornhole. you have got to play the cornhole. that is the main game. >>cornhole. look at that. >>reporter: two years ago, in his second season, david ragan came 13th overall in the sprint cup, a superb performance that's proved hard to match...but he's confident his best days lie ahead...not behind. and round here they're equally optimistic that nascar's glory days are far from over.... >>clark: we are still number 2 to football in terms of fan attendance, fan support. tv ratings. >>tharp: from a standpoint of excitement and competition our sport has never been better. >>reporter: after 4 hours and 500 miles...ragan finally takes 19th place.....it's been a difficult, yet still satisfying nights racing... >>ragan: it's always a challenge.

you don't win every race but it always keeps you hungry for the next one. >>reporter: and so the search for an improved performance will continue.....both for david ragan...and america'sfavourite motorsport... >>that's it for this week's world business. thanks for watching. we'll see you again at the same time next week.